Why This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in the UK Capital
The Grand Sumo Tournament
Venue: This Historic London Venue, London. Dates: October 15th through 19th
Exploring Japan's National Sport
Sumo represents Japan's iconic national sport, blending tradition, discipline and Shinto religious rituals dating back more than 1,000 years.
This physical contest involves two competitors – known as rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) in diameter.
Various rituals are performed both preceding and following every match, emphasizing the ceremonial aspects of the sport.
Customarily prior to competition, an opening is made at the center of the ring and filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies.
The hole gets sealed, enshrining inside divine presence. The rikishi then perform a ceremonial stomp with hand clapping to scare away bad spirits.
Elite sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, with competitors involved commit completely to the sport – residing and practicing communally.
Why London?
This Major Sumo Event is being held internationally for just the second time, with the competition taking place in London beginning October 15th until Sunday, 19 October.
London and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 edition – the first time such an event took place outside Japan in sumo history.
Clarifying the decision for the international competition, sumo leadership expressed the intention to "convey to the people of London sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".
The sport has seen a significant rise in international interest among international fans in recent years, and a rare international tournament could further boost the appeal of Japanese culture abroad.
Sumo Bout Mechanics
The basic rules in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The match concludes when a rikishi gets pushed of the dohyo or makes contact with anything other than their foot soles.
Bouts can conclude in a fraction of a second or continue over two minutes.
Sumo features two main fighting styles. Pusher-thrusters typically shove competitors from the arena through strength, while belt-fighters choose to grip their opponent employing judo-like throws.
High-ranking rikishi frequently excel in multiple combat styles adjusting to their opponents.
Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, including dramatic throws strategic evasions. The variety of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets can occur in any bout.
Weight classes do not exist in sumo, so it's common to see rikishi with significant size differences. Sumo rankings determine matchups instead of physical attributes.
While women do compete in amateur sumo worldwide, they cannot enter elite competitions or the main arenas.
Rikishi Lifestyle
Sumo wrestlers live and train together in training stables known as heya, under a stable master.
Everyday life for wrestlers focuses entirely on sumo. They rise early for intense practice, then consuming a large meal of chankonabe – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – with rest periods.
Typical rikishi consumes between six to 10 bowls per meal – approximately 10,000 calories – although legendary stories of massive eating are documented.
Rikishi purposely increase mass to enhance leverage during matches. Despite their size, they possess remarkable flexibility, quick movements with strong bursts.
Virtually every aspect of rikishi life are regulated by their stable and the Sumo Association – making a distinctive existence in professional sports.
A wrestler's ranking determines earnings, accommodation options and even support staff.
Junior or lower ranked rikishi perform duties around the heya, whereas senior ones enjoy special privileges.
Sumo rankings get determined by results in six annual tournaments. Successful competitors advance, unsuccessful ones drop down in standing.
Before each tournament, a new banzuke are released – a ceremonial list showing everyone's status within the sport.
At the summit exists the rank of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna embody the essence of the sport – transcending winning.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
The sport includes several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, primarily being Japanese.
Foreign wrestlers have been involved prominently over years, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels currently.
Current Yokozuna feature global participants, including wrestlers from various nations reaching elite status.
Recently, young international aspirants have traveled to Japan seeking wrestling careers.